Integrated Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Areas in the Southeast Asia and East Asian Region

Project Summary

Vulnerability of coastal areas to sea level rise is driven not only by global environmental changes but likewise by socio-economic development and the ability of affected communities to cope with such changes. As such, the project endeavored to achieve an integrated analysis of the effect of the complex and dynamic social, economic and environmental factors found in the region to the vulnerability of human communities, and their implications for management and governance of coastal systems and adaptation capacities. The project has so far addressed gaps in the knowledge of the vulnerability of Southeast Asian coasts to climate change using modeling and on-the-ground bio-physical and socio-economic evaluations.

Making use of the DINAS-COAST DIVA model (Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment), the project was able to assess vulnerability of coastal sites to the different SRES scenarios. DIVA simulations for sea level rise scenarios showed that site-specific interventions are recommended to mitigate flooding, land loss due to submergence/erosion and preservation of coastal hábitats. These climate-related impacts are also perceived as exacerbating factors in existing coastal issues. At the same time, existing coastal issues makes the coastal area more vulnerable to climate change effects. Using case studies coupled with in-country expert analysis, the most relevant coastal issues were identified and ranked.